Grass trimmer attachment

ABSTRACT

A wheeled attachment for a grass trimmer includes a mounting bar having a wheel at each end, detachably mountable to the grass trimmer to provide easy control and easy support for the grass trimmer. The detachable bar may be securable by a nut and bolt combination either to a housing or protective cover mounted on the grass cutting head immediately above the grass cutting element, or to an adjustable bar component which is detachably securable to the elongated shaft of the grass trimmer. For easy mounting upon the housing of a grass trimmer, the detachable bar includes adjustment slots for the nut and bolt fasteners so that the fasteners may be easily and quickly adjusted to the size of the housing component. For easy mounting upon the elongated shaft of the grass trimmer, the adjustable bar component includes two or more vertically extending bar members which are adjustably attachable to permit forward or rearward adjustment of the wheeled attachment. Further, the wheels may be preferably positioned on the mounting bar so that the distance between the two wheels on the mounting bar is less than the maximum cutting diameter of the flexible cutting line. Then, also, the wheels may be swivelably mounted.

This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 316,328 filedon Feb. 27, 1989, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

My invention relates to grass trimmers. More particularly, my inventionrelates to grass trimmers having easily attachable wheeled componentsfor converting an unsupported hand-lifted grass trimmer into a grasstrimmer supported by the wheeled attachment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rotary grass trimmers employing flexible line for accomplishing thecutting operation, rather than a steel blade, have become increasinglypopular. The use of flexible line provides a much safer apparatus thandoes the use of a steel blade. Then, as a resulting advantage, the useof flexible line permitted the development of grass trimmers which wereof lighter weight and therefore more easily manageable than, and usedsomewhat less power than, the trimmers which had steel blades.

The intrinsic advantages of the hand-held, flexible line trimmer haveenabled users to operate this type of trimmer for a broad range ofpurposes, many more uses than had been generally considered with theheavier steel blade variety. People began to use this lighter weight,safer trimmer for multiple purposes: trimming grass along housefoundations; trimming along fence lines; trimming, in what is commonlydescribed as an "edging" operation, along a concrete sidewalk; and,even, while they have the trimmer available, utilizing the trimmer tomow small areas of grass.

However, as has already been recognized in the art, the use of thehand-held grass trimmer for multiple purposes is best accomplished bythe use of some form of support frame attached to the grass trimmer. Awheeled support frame was found necessary for some purposes because thehand-held grass trimmer, simply held in the air above the area beingtrimmed, would cause uneven trimming and would be tiring to the user.

I have found in the prior art a number of patents for attachments andadaptations for the flexible line trimmer. These are shown in thefollowing patents:

    ______________________________________                                        U.S. 4,077,191                                                                             Pittinger, Sr. et al                                                                         March 7, 1978                                     U.S. 4,182,100                                                                             Letter         Jan. 8, 1980                                      U.S. 4,205,439                                                                             Sweet          June 3, 1980                                      U.S. 4,224,784                                                                             Hansen et al   Sept. 30, 1980                                    U.S. 4,531,350                                                                             Huthmacher     July 30, 1985                                     G.B. 1,551,622                                                                             Dawson         Aug. 30, 1979                                     ______________________________________                                    

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of my invention is to provide a wheeled attachmentfor a grass trimmer which is easily and quickly attachable to the grasstrimmer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wheeled attachment for agrass trimmer which is inexpensive, conveniently attachable to the grasstrimmer, and forms a grass trimmer which is easily maneuverable.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a wheeled attachmentfor a grass trimmer which will embody a grass trimmer which is sturdyand compact, and easy to use.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a wheeled attachmentfor a grass trimmer which is easily attachable to the grass trimmer in amanner to permit the trimmer to perform neat trimming operations inobstructed areas with minimal effort by the user.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a wheeled attachmentfor a grass trimmer to permit the converted trimmer to perform smooth,even, and easily controllable mowing operations.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a wheeled attachmentfor a grass trimmer in which the wheeled attachment does not impede thecutting action of the grass trimmer or limit the scope of the cuttingarea.

I have found that the advantages I have discussed above for thelight-weight, hand-held, flexible line grass trimmer are enhanced by theattachment of my wheeled attachment because of the ease of attachment,adjustable accomodation, compactness, and further light-weight of mywheeled attachment itself.

Although I have developed a wheeled attachment for a grass trimmer whichis sturdy and of strong steel construction, yet the attachment is stilllight-weight and provides a grass trimmer which is light-weight andeasily controllable.

The flexible line grass trimmer includes power means for driving theflexible line rotatably at high speed to accomplish the cuttingoperation. The flexible line is commonly a plastic cord.

One type of grass trimmer for which I have designed my wheeledattachment is an electrically powered type which comprises a long shafthaving one hand grip at a first end of the shaft, a second hand grippart way down the shaft, an electrical plug and control adjacent thefirst end of the shaft, an electric line passing interiorly of the shaftto an electric motor secured to the lower or second end of the shaft,with the motor cooperating with means for holding and driving rotatablya flexible grass cutting line. Usually, the grass trimmer includes ahousing or protective cover mounted immediately above the grass cuttingline or covering the electric motor to provide some safety from therapidly rotating flexible line or from debris which the rapidly rotatingline might fling during operation.

I have designed my wheeled attachment to be easily and quicklyattachable to the grass trimmer to provide an easily controllabletrimmer, lightweight, efficient grass trimmer which is easy and simpleto use.

My wheeled attachment for the grass trimmer comprises a mounting barwhich can be mounted transversely upon the housing of the trimmer, andwhich has a wheel at each end, thus providing the wheeled support closeto the grass cutting head and out of the way of the user. I haveprovided for quick and secure attachment of the mounting bar to thehousing by a nut and bolt combination, preferably a J-bolt and nut ifthe housing has a lip or flange along its lower side. If the grasstrimmer does not have a housing or protective cover, or if the cover forthe electric motor would prevent the mounting of the wheeled attachmentupon the housing, then I have provided for securing the mounting bar andwheels at a position upon the shaft of the grass trimmer.

In another version of a grass trimmer, the power is supplied by agasoline engine mounted adjacent one end of a long shaft with a cuttinghead at the opposite end. Flexible means for driving a cutting elementextends interiorly of the shaft to the cutting element mounted withinthe cutting head.

In this type of grass trimmer, the gasoline engine prohibits the userfrom gripping the grass trimmer at the upper end, so a handle is placedlower on the elongated shaft than the upper end. Also, in thismodification the cutting head usually does not have a protective housingsuitable for mounting the wheeled attachmentas conveniently as in thetypical electrical model. Therefore, especially for this type of grasstrimmer, I have provided for the wheeled attachment to be mounted on theelongated shaft above the cutting head. Further, I have designed mywheeled attachment in this version so that the user may adjust theattachment to suit various conditions of use, such as: proper balance ofthe grass trimmer, size of the cutting element, size and physicalcomfort of the user, and cutting height of the cutting element in regardto the surface of the ground.

To accomplish this degree of adjustment with this modification of mywheeled attachment, I have provided for the wheels to be attached to alower member of a set of two or more vertically extending bar membersincluding an upper bar member adjustably attached to an easily removableand adjustable clamp positionable at a selected place on the elongatedshaft.

Preferably, for this gasoline engine type trimmer adaptation the lowerbar member is secured to the transverse member of the wheeledattachment, as by welding, and this lower bar member includes means foradjustably attaching this lower bar member to an upper bar member. Suchmeans for adjusting the lower bar member comprises either a slotextending length-wise of the bar member or a series of adjustment holesalong the bar member. The upper bar member has attachment means adjacentits lower end, such as a nut and bolt, to cooperate with the lower bar.

Thus, the user may adjust the wheeled attachment as he desires, bysliding the clamp along the elongated shaft to a chosen position and byadjusting the lower bar member at a desired position in cooperation withthe upper bar member and at a chosen position rearwardly in relation tothe cutting head by cooperation with the upper bar member.

Of course, the wheeled attachment which I have just described as beingattachable to the shaft of the grass trimmer, is readily suitable forattachment to any type of grass trimmer, gasoline or electric, which hasa shaft to which the wheeled attachment may be secured.

One particular advantage of the type of wheeled attachment which may beattached to the elongated shaft of the grass trimmer is that the wheelsmay be inset somewhat; that is, spaced more closely together than ifthey were mounted on the transverse member mounted on the housingdirectly over the cutting head. I use the term inset to mean that thedistance between the two wheels on the mounting bar is less than themaximum cutting diameter of the flexible cutting element. The insetwheels permit the grass trimmer to be used efficiently as an edgingdevice without interference or limitation from the wheels.

I also contemplate that wherever desired, the wheels of my wheeledattachment may be swiverably mounted on the transverse mounting bar.Some users may prefer swivelable mounting of the wheels for easiercontrol of the grass trimmer.

The above objects and advantages of my invention will become apparentfrom my description of the following preferred embodiments of myinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled attachment for a grass trimmeraccording to my invention as it is in position upon a typical flexibleline grass trimmer.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a wheeled attachment for a grasstrimmer according to my invention as it is in position upon a typicalflexible line grass trimmer with the grass trimmer shown in fragmentaryand in phantom.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a wheeled attachment for a grasstrimmer according to my invention as it is in position upon a typicalflexible line grass trimmer with the grass trimmer shown in fragmentaryand in phantom and taken along the lines 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a wheeled attachment for a grass trimmeraccording to my invention.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a wheeled attachment for a grasstrimmer according to my invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a wheeled attachment for a grasstrimmer according to my invention taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of wheeled attachmentfor a grass trimmer according to my invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second modified form of wheeledattachment for a grass trimmer according to my invention as it is inposition upon a typical gasoline-powered grass trimmer.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of the embodiment of wheeledattachment shown in FIG. 8 with the grass trimmer shown in fragmentary.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled attachment and grass trimmercombination 10, generally, showing a wheeled attachment 12, generally,according to my invention as it is in position upon a typical flexibleline grass trimmer 14, generally. The type of grass trimmer 14 shown inFIG. 1 is an electric-powered type which has an electric motor 16,generally, attached at one end of a long shaft 18 and a first handle 20adjacent the opposite end of shaft 18. A second handle 22 is in positionmidway of shaft 18. An electric cord 24 having an attachment plug (notshown) passes through handle 20 and interiorly of shaft 18 to connectwith motor 16.

The typical electric motor 16 has a housing 26, or protective cover,which may have a housing extension 28. The usual housing extension 28will have a rim or lip 30 which will provide one means for attaching mywheeled attachment 12 to the grass trimmer 14.

I have designed my wheeled attachment 12 to be adaptable for attachingto various structural modifications of the grass trimmer 14. Indesigning my wheeled attachment 12 as I have, I have had to take intoconsideration the possible structural differences of various grasstrimmers, especially the most suitable distances which should bemaintained between a plastic filament cutting element 32 and the surfaceof the ground.

For proper mounting of my wheeled attachment 12, I have provided astraight transverse member 34 which is attachable to the housing 26 bymeans of a J-bolt 36 fitting around the lower edge of lip 30, passingthrough a slot 38, and held securely and easily detachable in positionby a wing nut 40.

At each end of the transverse member 34 I have provided a wheel assemblywhich I show as an axle portion 42 having mounted bearably thereon byconventional means (not shown) a wheel 44. In certain types of grasstrimmers, such as the type I am showing in the FIGS. 1-3, the structureis such that the wheels 44 must be spaced apart at a greater distancebetween them than the maximum operating diameter of the plastic filament32 which is normally wound on a cartridge assembly 46, generally. Insome types of structures, the geometry of the grass trimmer will permitthe wheeled attachment to be mounted farther back from the motor 16 sothat the wheels may be set closer together, at a distance apart lessthan the maximum cutting diameter of the filament 32. Then, in thisconfiguration the user may perform more efficient trimming operationswithout interferences from the wheels.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 I have shown an alternate embodiment of my inventionwhich is especially adaptable for use with a gasoline-powered grasstrimmer as shown by grass trimmer and wheeled attachment 48, generally.Gasoline-powered grass trimmer 50, generally, includes a gasoline engine52 at one end and connected by a flexible line passing through shaft 54to a grass cutting assembly 56, generally, which includes a flexiblegrass cutting filament 58.

In this embodiment I have provided for a wheeled attachment 60,generally, to be detachably securable, and readily adjustable, uponshaft 54 by means of a clamping arrangement formed by one clamp member62 attachable by means of bolts 64 to a second clamp member 66 in amanner that the clamping members 62 and 66 may be readily movable tosuit the user.

Clamp member 66 is securably and adjustably attachable by means of bolt68 and nut 70 to slotted bar member 72 which includes slot 74 to permitsuitable adjustment of the wheeled attachment 60. Then slotted barmember 72 is secured to a transverse member 76 to which an axle portion78 is secured at each end. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, wheels 80are bearably mounted. Particularly in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8,wheels 80 may be positioned more closely together than the maximumcutting diameter described by filament 58 for enhanced edgingcapability.

If additional height or adjustment is considered necessary, I haveprovided for a bar extension member 82, as shown in FIG. 9.

I have also provided, as shown in FIG. 7, for a swivelable wheelcomponent 84, generally, for use as desired. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, I have shown an adjustable transverse bar member 86 whichincludes adjustment slots 88. Wheels 90 may be attachable to transversemember 86 by having a conventional swivel member 92 secured thereto bybolt 94 and nut 96.

Since many different embodiments of my invention may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood thatthe specific embodiments described in detail herein are not to be takenin a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined bythe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A handleless wheeled attachment in combination with a grasstrimmer to support and maintain the grass trimmer in a substantiallyhorizontal spaced position in relation to the ground during operation,in which the grass trimmer includes:an elongated shaft, a grass cuttinghead, including a rotatable member carrying a grass cutting filament,adjacent a first end of the elongated shaft, said rotatable member andsaid grass cutting filament defining a maximum cutting diameter for saidgrass trimmer, a first hand grip at a second end of the elongated shaft,a second hand grip part way down the elongated shaft and power means fordriving the rotatable member, the wheeled attachment comprising: amounting member comprising a straight transverse member having a wheelat each end thereof, the distance between said wheels being less thansaid maximum cutting diameter, and means for securing the mountingmember detachably in position on the trimmer in a manner that thetransverse member is mounted rearwardly of the vertical axis of therotatable member, said means for securing the mounting memberincluding:a height adjustable bar assembly having an elongate first barmember attachable to said transverse member such that said first barmember will extend upwardly from said transverse member, said heightadjustable bar assembly also having a clamping means for clamping thehandleless wheeled attachment to the elongated shaft of the grasstrimmer.
 2. A handleless wheeled attachment in combination with a grasstrimmer as described in claim 1, wherein:the bar assembly is attached tothe elongated shaft between the second hand grip and the grass cuttinghead; the bar assembly further includes a second bar member securable toand downwardly depending from the clamping means and the first barmember is adjustably securable to and downwardly depending from thesecond bar member.
 3. A handleless wheeled attachment in combinationwith a grass trimmer as described in claim 2, wherein: the first barmember comprises a slotted bar member to permit ease of adjustment ofthe bar assembly.
 4. A handleless wheeled attachment in combination witha grass trimmer as described in claim 3, wherein:the wheels areswivelably mounted on the transverse member.
 5. A handleless wheeledattachment in combination with a grass trimmer as described in claim 1,wherein said first bar member is adjustably securable to and downwardlydepending from the clamping means.
 6. A handleless wheeled attachment incombination with a grass trimmer as described in claim 5, wherein thefirst bar member is a slotted bar member.
 7. A handleless wheeledattachment in combination with a grass trimmer as described in claim 1,wherein said handleless wheeled attachment has only two wheels.
 8. Ahandleless wheeled attachment for a trimmer, said trimmer comprising anelongate shaft, a cutting head at one end of said elongate shaft, and agripping means at the other end of said elongate shaft, wherein saidhandleless wheeled attachment comprises:an elongate transverse memberhaving a first end and a second end; a first wheel rotatably positionedadjacent said first end of said transverse member; a second wheelrotatably positioned adjacent said second end of said transverse member;an upwardly extending elongate member having a lower end connected tosaid transverse member between the first end and the second end of saidtransverse member; and a connecting means, attachable to said upwardlyextending elongate member, for connecting said handleless wheeledattachment to the elongate shaft of said trimmer, said connecting meansbeing adjustably attachable to said upwardly extending elongate membersuch that the height at which said handleless wheeled attachmentsupports the cutting head of said trimmer can be adjusted.
 9. Thehandleless wheeled attachment of claim 8, wherein said handlelesswheeled attachment has only two wheels.
 10. The handleless wheeledattachment of claim 8, wherein said handleless wheeled attachment isconnectable to the elongate shaft of said trimmer such that saidtransverse member will be positioned behind the cutting head of saidtrimmer.
 11. The handleless wheeled attachment of claim 10, wherein:thecutting head of said trimmer includes a rotatable member carrying acutting filament, said rotatable member and said filament defining amaximum cutting diameter for said trimmer and the distance between saidfirst wheel and said second wheel is less than the maximum cuttingdiameter of said trimmer.